Evenings out seem to be more special than ever these days. So having plenty of options to fill your romantic itinerary is needed even more. Thankfully, Chicago is known to not disappoint. With each suggested locale keeping an eye on the city’s COVID climate and planning accordingly—this all means all you and your date have to do is dress up, show up, and chow down (and, ideally, really dig each other).
There are first dates, second dates, as well as third dates, and so on they go! You may get to a point where you stop counting because all you do is nom nom-together. Anywho, kudos to you for making it this far.
I think no matter who you are talking to, the word ‘date night’ may mean different things, but I think we can all agree, and in unison say, a good meal is essential.
Here are our best restaurants in Chicago.
10 Best Date Night Restaurants In Chicago
A few things make for a good restaurant date destination. When you have dim lighting, cozy booths, a great patio, and perhaps a dish to share for two, life is good. Most importantly, a good date spot should provide a memorable experience, which includes excellent food, impressive beverages, and exceptional service.
If you’re looking for a casual evening of quiet conversation or a show-stopping display of culinary wooing, Chicago has plenty of options of where to go on your next date. Whether it’s a first date or a decades-long anniversary, you can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants in Chicago for impressive eats, solid drinks, and intimate vibes;
Diners are drawn to this Lincoln Park destination with its dreamy artwork, a lush living wall, and mood lighting, which is the first in the ever-expanding Boka Restaurant Group portfolio. Then there’s the food, lots of which you can try, evidenced by dishes like Kampachi Crudo, Grilled Spanish Octopus, and the date-night pinnacle: Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck for two.
In love and love Italian food? You’re in luck. You can always count on Monteverde for excellent Italian food in a bustling atmosphere. Their pasta is among the best, so plan your meal around them. If you want to add some protein to the mix, order the ragu Alla Napoletana, which can only be described as ridiculous (involving pasta, sausage, soppressata meatballs, and a large braised pork shank). You and your date are like two meatballs in a pod, having an amazing time in this Chicago restaurant.
Off-the-beaten-path, secluded, no-frills, plenty of moody candlelight, Ada Street has the perfect recipe for a romantic evening in Chicago. Tender lamb ribs with crispy garlic and fluffy brioche doughnuts for dessert make this a neighborhood gem with sexy undertones. Make an even better evening of it by seeing a show near The Hideout, a great outdoor restaurant in Chicago.
Dining experience: Dinner is waiting at the end of a dimly lit corridor. The restaurant is small, with only a few dozen seats at two-tops and the bar. Don’t overlook the cocktails, whether you’re seated at the bar or not. The restaurant opens its garage-style door to an enclosed backyard in the summer, though it is being renovated.
The newest jewel in the BOKA Group’s (BOKA, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro) crown is a West Loop Italian masterpiece. It has created a shareable menu. You can be dressed up or dressed down to suit your mood here—looking to make a splash? Order the Kampachi crudo and tagliolini with Alba white truffle. Keeping it simple? For that, there’s a pizza.
Dining experience: Getting a table at Alla Vita can be more difficult than getting a quick burger at Au Cheval due to its popularity. Diners have been known to queue on the sidewalk before the restaurant opens to get a seat at the bar.
Make a reservation early to enjoy the luxury of the plush dining room, which features a ceiling covered in elegant waves of fabric and wooden archways adorned with plants.
Allow yourself to be swept away by the romance of this former 1890s print shop that has been renovated in an Art Nouveau style (complete with custom tiling and hand-crafted millwork). Travel back in time with a round of classically inspired cocktails served in vintage glassware at the bar.
Then explore chef Andrew Zimmerman’s menu, a collection of carefully composed plates with plenty of French twists. Berkshire pork confit with cherry mostarda and country-fried truffle chicken with chanterelles standouts. If you and yours are old at heart (not literally lol) this would be a perfect date night in Chicago.
Roka Akor, River North, Oak Brook, and Old Orchard;
Sharing sushi is just easier—and it only gets better when the sushi is famously good. Find it at this tri-location restaurant, which serves rolls like Crispy Spicy Tuna and Dynamite Scallop alongside larger entrees like prime-cut steaks and Yuzu Miso Marinated Black Cod. Opt for the multi-course omakase for a splurge, and whatever you do, don’t miss the Ube Pot De Crème, a lush finale of smooth custard made with the strikingly purple Filipino yam that screams Instagram gold.
In any relationship, spontaneity is always a good thing. And, because Avec does not accept dinner reservations, not having any plans is the best kind of plan. The minimal, sleek wood design of Avec makes it a cool place to hang out, and the food is always delicious. Never miss out on their focaccia or chorizo-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates.
Campagne Bistro, Lincoln Square;
Have you had to postpone your romantic Parisian getaway this summer? Tout baigne—head to this Lincoln Park hidden gem to recreate the magic with all the trimmings of a traditional French restaurant. How about a patio full of appropriately placed greenery and glistening fairy lights? Check! What about a hefty cheese plate that starts with violet mustard, house pickles, fruit preserves, candied pecans, pink peppercorn honey, and grilled sourdough? Check!
Everything is designed to make your date awesome and give you the feels of a French setting. So why not!
Fancy and French almost always go hand in hand, but Brindille’s elegant and sophisticated dining room elevates upscale French to a new level. Carrie Nahabedian, a James Beard Award-winning chef, serves an array of classics, from Dover Sole meunière to lacquered aged duck breast, alongside a wine list that spans all of France. The hardest decision you’ll have to make all night is whether to start with oysters or caviar. But since it’s a romantic occasion, why not do both?
Dining experience: To allow for more space between diners, the restaurant has reduced the number of tables. That means you’ll have an even more unique dining experience, complete with a white tablecloth and superior service. Brindille also hosts afternoon tea regularly, with a selection of pastries, finger sandwiches, and specially priced Champagnes, ideal for a fun daytime date.
If this restaurant could hoist itself from its foundation and wander around Chicago, it would be pursued by hordes of paparazzi and desperate people looking for a seat at the bar. The combination of being in the West Loop and having a Top Chef winner in the kitchen generated a level of hype that was well-deserved. It also made this list because of Couple Experience’s Founder, Tamika. She loves the place, so that should count for something.
The fact that Rose Mary’s food is delicious, or that everything, from the excellent service to the thoughtful course selection, contributes to a memorable dining experience for you and yours are just a few reasons this wonder of a place made it on this list! Visit, unwind, and enjoy an unforgettable date night. It’ll be difficult not to.
If you’re looking for a fun date night in Bridgeport, look no further than The Duck Inn. With a playful mix of bar fare and gourmet offerings, Chef Kevin Hickey’s tribute to his hometown captures the charm of this historic neighborhood. In the former home of a 100-year-old pre-prohibition tavern, dine on fried cheese curds and cider-braised pork belly.
Dining experience: You can create your own romantic adventure at this popular restaurant and bar. Choose a more relaxed evening of duck wings and local beer in the lounge, or reserve a table in the dining room, where exposed brick and candlelight set the stage for a romantic evening of roasted duck paired with a bottle of wine.
Well, there you are! We hope this list of restaurants makes it on your itinerary. There’s so much to explore for you and yours in the great windy city of Chicago. We request you do nothing more than have a splendid time, and oh! Feel free to reference this list anytime.
Cheers!
